Patriotic Flag Swag Bunting {No-Sew}

I’m a little passionate about the Red, White, and Blue…I ♥ the USA.
I have wanted flag swag buntings forever. The problem ~ I didn’t want just one…I wanted like 10 {and at $20+ a piece they have never seemed to make it into my budget} With our deck finally completed, I knew I had to find a way to drape these beauties across the back for an upcoming party!

No Sew, Inexpensive Fabrics, and about 20 minutes makes these cuties as simple as can be.

Begin with three pieces of fabric; any shade of red, white and blue will do. I used simple cotton for the red and blue and muslin for the white. {You can pick up a solid cottons for around $2 a yard and muslin for as low as $1.} One yard of each will make at least 3 separate buntings.

Keeping your fabric folded in half {as it is on the bolt} measure and cut 8 inches of blue and 12 inches of the red and white. {those are height measurements – the width will be the standard width of your fabric off the bolt}. I used a t-square to make square to assure my cuts were straight.

Use Stitch Witchery to adhere the fabrics together; blue at the top, then red, then your white. Simply open and lay out your white fabric, cut a piece of Stitch Witchery, the length of the fabric, and lay it along the top edge. Lay your blue fabric on top, making sure the fabrics overlap and the edge of the blue fabric is just covering the Stitch Witchery. Iron together {following the directions on the package – as some brands of Stitch Witchery differ slightly}. Repeat the process on the bottom of the white piece with your red fabric.

You should now have one cohesive piece of fabric. I left my edges raw, as once you fold the fabric these will not be visible. You can certainly take the time to finish them though if you wish.

Cut a wooden dowel just short of the width of your fabric. {You do not want it to stick out} Working from the back side of your fabric, lay the wooden dowel at the top of the blue and cut another piece of Stitch Witchery the same width. Roll over the top of your fabric to cover the dowel and iron into place.

This will give your bunting stability and it will hang nicely.

Starting at the bottom of your fabric {the red} begin to make accordion folds. I simply used a yard stick as a guide to fold even pleats. You want to make sure that the first pleat you make, the raw edge is folded down toward the back – This is important as you will see in the last step.

As you make each fold, iron to hold the pleat into place. Continue folding until your reach the dowel in the blue fabric.

Once you have all the fabric folded, use a ruler or measuring tape to find the center. Lightly mark this spot on the fabric.

Insert a safety pin directly in the center, making sure you punch through every layer.

Cut a piece of Stitch Witchery to run from the center pin to the edge of your fabric.

Roll to the side and slightly fan out the fabric until the two red end pieces meet. Use the Stitch Witchery to seal these two edges together. Remember the first fold {raw edge down} These are the two folds that you will be ironing together. The raw edges should be facing the back so that when you adhere them together you get a perfect seam. {Once you have your fabric laid out it is not as complicated as it seems}

To hang, I used a thumbtack on each end, which I slid into dowel pocket and pinned to the deck. {You can see in photo above, on the right hand side, the tack placement} By sliding them into the pockets you can fold the fabric over to hide the tack heads.

My bunting measures 36 inches wide. The width of your bunting will be determined by the width of your fabric.

I’m koo-koo over your buntings, Stephanie! Like you, I have been wanting some for my front porch. But I’d need 6 and that’s expensive! I’m curious of how the pleats will hold up if they get rained on. Are yours exposed to the elements? Mine would be for a covered porch. I was just curious. Since they aren’t sewn, I wondered if the weight of a good rain shower would make them possibly droop or loose the pleat? -Karen

Wow! I’m hitting the fabric store first thing in the morning! Who knew it would be so easy, and you can’t beat the price!! I bought 2 ready mades last year, and they did not hold up well at all. I’m going to try these and see how they hold up! Thanks so much!

Well you certainly got my attention when you said no sewing! I love this idea, and I want to translate it to the real long swags that I’ve seen draped on some houses. I can’t believe all of the great ideas that I’m seeing for the Stars and Stripes Party!Happy 4th!Carol~~Old Glory Cottage

I loved your beautiful buntings so much that I made myself some and posted on my blog, with a shout out to you of course. Thanks for the Inspiration! Check mine out at Moorefromtheheart.com email – [email protected]

One of the things I am enjoying the most is your sense of pride in your home and family. I love all the ideas that you suggest that we can do on our own-what memories that creates. You would enjoy Fritz Kay’s work at http://www.fritzkay.com. His approach complements yours. Keep the great work coming!!Ina O

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